Rock Creek Marina & Campground - Camanche, Iowa

R. U. L. 2.

This park was a lot busier than most of the Iowa county parks that I’ve visited. (I’ll leave it to ‘you’ to decide if that’s a positive or a negative). The Eco Tourism Center was a nice addition with a small store that also had a limited food menu available (mainly burgers) and a room with a large display documenting some of the local wildlife and an aquarium showing some of the local aquatic species. Attached to, and behind the Tourism Center is a deck/balcony with views of the marina slips and the park. There is also a boat ramp with dock (and a scenic view) that was busy with kayakers and canoeists both coming and going while I was there.

janise W.

Jill is the captain of the Blue Heron. Wonderful guide
An hour boat ride on the Mississippi River. 💕. Thanks Jill Mom had a wonderful time 😊

Rachael K.

Wonderful people, awesome spots, very comfortable and well maintained. Walk the nature trail along the waters, paddle the back waters of the Mississippi River and experience it's ecosystem, take a sunset cruise from the campground, and enjoy the little museum. Bathrooms could be a bit cleaner and they are right by the museum so your camper-head of hair walk to the showers will be seen by daily visitors 🙂

Kim S.

Lol bring your own tent or camper, so of course the rooms are nice. You could rent a cabin. While you are there- go in the upstairs and see the huge aquarium and fish that hang up and the room with wildlife. Nice place to show the kids even if not camping. Free and they have The Marina rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboats complete with life jackets.

Robert B. W.

This campground has everything! Family friendly too. It is on the backwaters of the Mississippi, so bring your mosquitoe spray! As with all campgrounds along major rivers, there is rail traffic. You will hear trains passing by occasionally. I personally like the sound of trains passing by.

Kay A.

I have visited this park numerous times. The Eco Center is a great place to learn about the river and its inhabitants.
The campgrounds have options from primitive to elevated cabins.
Ample parking, nice boat ramp, several types of sitting areas, plus a stainless sink area under the eco-center for use.

The shower house is centrally located, clean, and recently updated with new non-slip flooring, a few shower seats, and fabric shower curtains reducing the growth of mold. A bonus is 2 of the 5 showers have actual shower heads and temperature controls, so no more having to push the button and waiting for luke warm water every minute.

As for feeling comfortable and safe, 100% . I've not had issues with grabbing a quick shower there. The water pressure is nice and warm.

Unfortunately my visit last night was not comfortable or pleasant at all. The shower house was fine except the hand soap dispensers were both empty and a couple toilet stalls were running low or out of TP. Its early in the season and following a holiday weekend its understandable.

The issue was the Clinton County Sherriff department's profiling, stalking and harassment strategies. The presence of deputies out there is rare. The officer prowling there last night was selecting certain people and vehicles to watch their every move, intimidate them and basically harassing them. Shining his headlights on brights directly on those he was targeting, running plate numbers, slowing down to a crawl to get full visibility of his suspects as they took a walk through the campgrounds, parking where it was clear to watch whatever these people were doing.

It is not illegal to take a shower there if you are not a camper. So the sheriff deputy did you enjoy your stalker game.?
Did you get a pat on the back from your co-workers when you told them your story at the watercooler?
Did you become a sheriff to stalk and harass people

I thought a sheriff is supposed to protect people from being stalked and harassed!!!!

Way to go Clinton County Sheriff Department, keeping it classy. Not every single person who doesnt fit into YOUR personal definition of what is an acceptable wholesome American is a tweaked out drug lord looking to steal young kids to traffic them.

Ashley J.

I love this place!! Great place to camp. The lodge has a little store for all the things you might have forgotten. They also serve food and have a museum or 'learning center' with fun activities, aquariums, live animals, lots of hands-on stuff for children. There is a beautiful deck overlooking the water with tables... you can relax and have lunch. They rent boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and stand-up paddle boards by hour or by day. They have cabins for rent as well as camper and tent sites, nature trails, and a playground. The bathrooms also have showers, which i LOVE when camping. There is a laundry facility as well.

Harry S.

Would give this park 5 stars if heavy rains and the Mississippi River didn't mess it up occasionally and there were a few more boat slips. On the other hand if those things weren't a problem too many people would discover how nice this place is. The store and ECO Center with evening cruises offer things to learn and do for all. The staff there is awesome. Just leave room for me.
Update 7/22: Still a very nice park, now with a few added boat rentals and slips. There have been trees removed and new trees planted since the duratio and floods. The limited staff has done a lot to rebuild and improve this park. With all the new campsites and cabins, they should add flush toilets if not anorher shower facility near the end of the pontoon/houseboat slips. UPDATE: 10/16/22 Still a great place although the water level is quite low, as is the whole Mississippi river system. Sitll able to put a boat in but water levels are 2 to 3 ft.in places until you get to the channel. I wouldn't use the north ramp and if we don't get significant rain I'd be very careful using the south ramp.